Enel SpA (OTCMKTS:ENLAY) Short Interest Up 79.6% in August

Key Points

• Short Interest Surge: Enel SpA experienced a significant 79.6% increase in short interest in August, with a total of 221,100 shares as of August 31st.
• Underperforming Earnings: The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, falling short of the $0.19 consensus estimate, despite exceeding revenue expectations with $25.72 billion.
• Dividend Announcement: Enel recently declared a dividend of $0.1428 with a high yield of 290.0%, revealing a payout ratio of 43.94%.

Enel SpA (OTCMKTS:ENLAY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 221,100 shares, a growth of 79.6% from the August 15th total of 123,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 450,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 450,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on ENLAY shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Enel from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Enel from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Finally, Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Enel in a report on Friday, May 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Enel Stock Down 0.1%

ENLAY traded down $0.01 on Friday, reaching $9.11. 254,683 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 221,507. The company's 50-day moving average price is $9.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.87. Enel has a fifty-two week low of $6.82 and a fifty-two week high of $9.72.

Enel (OTCMKTS:ENLAY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $25.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.20 billion. Enel had a return on equity of 12.56% and a net margin of 7.78%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Enel will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Enel Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.1428 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 290.0%. Enel's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.94%.

About Enel

Enel SpA operates as an integrated operator in electricity and gas industries worldwide. It generates, distributes, transmits, and sells electricity; transports and markets natural gas; and constructs and operates generation plants and distribution grids. The company also provides energy management services; e-vehicle charging infrastructure for public and private customers; and engages in the energy commodities business.